The economy of North Korea is a centrally planned economy, following Juche, where the role of market allocation schemes is limited, although increasing. As of 2021, North Korea continues its basic adherence to a centralized command economy. China is North Korea’s largest trading partner.

The disintegration of the Soviet Union, followed by a food crisis in the aftermath of a series of natural disasters–hail storms in 1994, flooding from 1995 to 1996, and droughts in 1997–pushed North Korea into an economic crisis. Sanctions and trade restrictions have further hurt the country’s economic prospects.

A 2014 UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights in North Korea found that the government committed gross, systematic, and widespread rights abuses, including extermination, murder, enslavement, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions, and other sexual violence.

Exporting coal Coal is North Korea’s main export, bringing in more than $370 million (£305m) a year in illegal shipments. In February 2017 China announced that it would be ending all coal imports from North Korea for the year in a bid to comply with UN sanctions.

The cost of living in North Korea is $1572, which is 2.13 times more expensive than the world average. North Korea ranked 20th out of 197 countries by cost of living and the 188th best country to live in. The average salary after taxes in North Korea is $316, which is enough to cover living expenses for 0.2 months.

In farmers’ markets, a bottle of beer costs about 53 North Korean won. Foreign beers such as Heineken, Tiger, Erdinger, and Bavarian and are increasingly available. A can of Chinese beer, such as Tsingtao or Harbin, can cost up to 4,000 won at the Jangmadang (grey market).

People are born at the age of “one”, i.e. the first year of their lifetime, and on New Year’s Day (or Chinese New Year for the Chinese) one year is added to their age. That is, age is the number of calendar years in which they have lived.

While many couples celebrate their anniversary by year, Korean couples choose to celebrate it every 100 days. On speculation, this could reflect how their relationship has survived the ups and downs as two different people coming together, just like how babies have survived the harsh living conditions of the past.

Chloe’s 100th Day Celebration (Baek-il 백일) In Korean culture, the 100th day after a child’s birth is a significant milestone. Unfortunately it was common back in the day for babies to pass away due to sickness and poor living conditions, so the 100th day is celebrated for having survived this difficult period.

According to a survey released Wednesday, Korea has the second-highest rate of “sexless” married couples after Japan. The sexless rate for married couples sleeping in separate bedrooms (65 percent) was far higher than that of those who sleep together (23 percent).

Although the culture around hugging is changing, hugging in Korea is generally reserved for couples or for close friends or family that are saying goodbye for a long while. Instead, if you want some skin, you can opt for the universally acceptable high-five ;).